The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), through the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB), convened a three-day stakeholder workshop on the Regulatory Impact Assessment (RIA) for the updated Air Quality Control Action Plan (AQCAP) under Republic Act No. 8749 or the Philippine Clean Air Act to strengthen evidence-based policymaking for cleaner air. The workshop was held from September 15–17, 2025, at SEDA Vertis North, Quezon City, with technical support from Innogy Solutions, Inc.
The workshop brought together national and regional officers of the EMB, private sector representatives, civil society organizations, and other key government agencies to deliberate on the draft policy directions for air quality management, particularly on vehicle emissions and industrial pollution, through the lens of the RIA.
Assistant Secretary for Environment and concurrent EMB Director Jacqueline A. Caancan, emphasized the importance of evidence-based strategies in environmental governance. “Policy decisions must be informed not only by science but also by the realities on the ground such as economic, social, and institutional. Regulatory Impact Assessment gives us that bridge,” she said, highlighting the EMB’s push for smarter, more responsive regulations.
The first day of the workshop focused on laying the technical groundwork. A representative from the Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA) provided an overview of the RIA framework to ensure that participants had a solid understanding of its principles and applications. This was followed by working sessions where EMB central and regional teams analyzed the potential impacts and cost implications of the proposed updates to the Air Quality Control Action Plan.
Engr. Jundy T. Del Socorro, Chief of the Air Quality Management Section (AQMS), presented the Next Steps for the EMB in mainstreaming RIA into environmental rulemaking. He emphasized that RIA is not just a technical exercise but a critical tool to ensure that environmental regulations are effective, equitable, and implementable.
On the second day, the workshop opened to a wider stakeholder base, including participants from the Philippine Information Agency (PIA), League of Cities of the Philippines, Department of Public Works and Highways–Environment Section, Clean Air Asia, and other NGOs and NGAs. Discussions centered on aligning the updated AQCAP with existing institutional mandates while incorporating technical and sector-specific inputs.
The third day featured sectoral consultations, beginning with the transport sector. Key players from the automotive and fuel industries, including Petron, Jetti Petroleum, CAMPI, MDPPA, Mitsubishi, Toyota, Isuzu, and advocacy groups such as 350 Pilipinas and ActivAsia, engaged in discussions on the proposed Euro 5/V vehicle emission standards, their benefits, and projected costs.
In parallel, another session focused on the industry and energy sectors, with participation from PIPPA, PCAPI, PCPUG, Philexport, APMP, and major power utilities. The discussion revolved around the draft Mass Emission Rate Standards (MERS) and explored compliance strategies, economic implications, and environmental benefits.
Throughout the workshop, the facilitation team, composed of EMB technical experts and Innogy Solutions, Inc., guided stakeholders in applying the RIA framework, identifying key regulatory challenges, assessing benefits, and analyzing implementation pathways.
Assistant EMB Director Engr. Maria Dorica Naz-Hipe, in her closing message reiterated the significance of RIA in ensuring the Philippine Clean Air Act remains responsive to emerging challenges and aligned with global best practices.
“This workshop is part of our long-term commitment to making our environmental policies not only scientifically sound but socially relevant and economically viable. RIA helps us strike that balance,” said Hipe.
The EMB reaffirmed its commitment to advancing air quality management through a participatory, data-driven, and collaborative approach, ensuring that the implementation of the Clean Air Act continues to protect public health, preserve environmental integrity, and promote sustainable development.